15. New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones – LB – Georgia – Scouting Report If Sean Payton thinks he can get by with Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma as outside linebackers in the 3-4, he’s in for a rude awakening. Adding a pass-rusher like Jones should be a high priority. There are legitimate questions about his athleticism and health, but he’s worth the risk at No. 15 based on his impressive production at Georgia, where he excelled in a 3-4 system similar to the one the Saints are installing in 2013.

15. New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones – LB – Georgia – Scouting Report If Sean Payton thinks he can get by with Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma as outside linebackers in the 3-4, he’s in for a rude awakening. Adding a pass-rusher like Jones should be a high priority. There are legitimate questions about his athleticism and health, but he’s worth the risk at No. 15 based on his impressive production at Georgia, where he excelled in a 3-4 system similar to the one the Saints are installing in 2013.

quote:Pound for pound, Vaccaro is one of the toughest guys in the draft. The Texas product's performance in pre-draft workouts (his 40 time was on the slower side at the combine, while a hip flexor issue limited him at his pro day) is relatively unimportant when projecting his pro potential, since his strengths are short-area quickness and tremendous competitiveness. He reminds me of young Bucs safety Mark Barron, who didn't run all that well before last year's draft, but went on to have an excellent rookie season.

I don't think the Saints need to go OLB anymore after getting Butler in free agency. Gives us a nice 3 man rotation at OLB between Butler, Galette and Wilson.

I hope to God we have a trading partner that is desperate to get someone like a Tavon Austin (the Vikings come to mind) and we get their 23rd pick and their 2nd round pick.

Then if Fluker is there at left tackle, you get him and pick up a nice defensive player in the 2nd round. Obviously if someone kept dropping like a Kenny Vacarro, Alec Ogletree or Dion Jordan, then you take them instead. But if all our top defensive must haves are gone, then take Fluker.

All signs are pointing to Mingo being the selection IF there isn't a top LOT available to replace Jermon Bushrod. The OT might be hard to land in Round 1, and if Mingo is still here the Saints will not allow him to pass through their hands. Mingo is a rather raw pass rusher, banking on his athleticism over total knowledge of the game. But in time, if he can refine that latter aspect, the sky is the limit.

15. New Orleans Saints -- Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia: His stock keeps taking hits, with one scout telling me he wasn't sure he'd stay in the first round. I say he does and that the Saints gamble on him.

The following mock draft is a composite built from the majority opinion culled from 16 other mock drafts as published by the experts at USA TODAY Sports, CBS Sports, ESPN, NFL Network and a few selected independents. The player selected by the highest percentage of experts in our "mock chorus" goes to the team on the clock. Sometimes, the player with the second highest percentage of votes gets drafted, because the player with the highest percentage is already off the board. I cast my own vote in a few ties. LINK

15. New Orleans Saints: Jarvis Jones, Pass Rusher, Georgia 19 percent

Other Options: Barkevious Mingo, 31 percent

Notice how the chorus automatically pencils the Ryan brothers in as coveting the same pass rushers. Rob Ryan does not have the personnel clout his brother has, but the Saints have a more pressing need to acquire players to suit his defense (as opposed to the Jets, who should really be focusing on offense in the first round). Hence, another roundup of the usual suspects: super-athletic pass rushers Mingo and Jones, with Star Lotulelei, Bjoern Werner and Ziggy Ansah also appearing on some boards. Between the Jets and Saints, only one of 32 mock selections ventured out of the defensive front seven: a lone vote for Kenny Vaccaro for the Saints. Somehow, I get the impression that we are oversimplifying a bit.

quote:Jones has lost a little juice lately because he wasn't impressive at his pro day, but we're still talking about a player who led the nation in sacks, and did it against the best competition in college football. He brings a relentless style and provides a perfect pass-rushing fit at outside linebacker for a defense that needs more talent up front. The Saints had one of the NFL's worst pass rushes last year, and Jones can help in that regard.

-saw how Fluker continues to shoot up some boards.

-also find it interesting that Star could fall that far. I don't think the Bucs would take him though if he's there. If they don't get that trade for Revis done or get some more help at corner in free agency, I think they would have to go with a corner.

- the bad news is that Carolina would probably run to the podium with the next pick and gladly take Lotulelei. They need help in the middle.

- I say bad news because I'd actually want Star more than Jarvis Jones. Although I'd be glad to have Jones.

Saban gets his guys overdrafted annually. Fluker can't pass block but he just shoots up draft boards at a spot where LTs go. This guy is a James carpenter part 2. Right tackles shouldn't go this high and I have my doubts Fluker even ends up a T.